Starting this new school year, all the IM-3 classes are implementing a new system of learning. It has 3 different curricula: Carnegie Learning, Savvas, and Open Up resources. Some IM-1 and IM-2 teachers are only taking bits and pieces of this curriculum. IM-3 is the only class level that is completely adapting.
Most classes have been power points, taking notes, and doing examples. But all is about to change. Currently, IM-3 is on Carnegie Learning. A math book that has worked out examples and lots of illustrations exemplifying the problem presented. This new change has only been implemented starting this new school year.
It is based on both textbook and online math sources. This new curriculum, according to teachers, is supposed to help students learn faster and more efficiently. It’s to take what students already know and exemplify what students have already been doing.
A student at Montclair High School, Angelica Cruz states, “I hate the new curriculum, I think that it makes the work a lot more complicated than it needs to be, although my teacher does a pretty good job at explaining it well. But I still don’t really like it, they need to bring the old method back.” Another MOHI student Elizabeth Gomez shared her opinion, stating “I hate it, it’s very bad for me and I don’t feel like I’m learning anything.”
Head of Montclair´s math department and IM-3 teacher Mr. Robinson states: “Policy is always changing all curriculum, it’s based on clientele it’s trying to see what is the best fit for students. It’s testing not just students but teachers as well. It’s built to improve critical thinking skills. We will hear the feedback from students and see what’s good or bad. It’s only running from this semester and the review process will be in January. Our math class this year is laying the foundation down for the next couple years of students to come.”
Another IM-3 teacher Mrs. Cano says, “It’s good but we aren’t ready. This needs to start with IM-1, with more experience. It’s a completely different way of thinking about math. The students are struggling. The IM-3 teachers like it but there are lots of holes to fill, it’s all of our first time, experiencing it. We look at the issues and fix things here and there during each lesson. The idea is to get you to explore and understand instead of the teacher telling you what to do. The second semester will fill in what students and teachers missed so back to the old method.”
We interviewed one last IM-3 teacher, Mr. Viramontes expresses, “It’s very new for everyone. It’s a new learning for students. It raises the level of expectation on students. I love it but not all of it. It’s definitely not perfect and some things need to change. In my classes I believe we are doing great. They haven’t gave up.”
This is going to be a new experience for all students and teachers. It will take some getting used to and get familiarized with the new system.
